My Handcrafted Opinions on Whiskies, Distilleries and Other Related Stuff
This bottle was labelled #3031 from Batch 0887 and bottled at 45.2% ABV. The nose was very nice, herbal tea with mint and sweet vanilla notes. The mouthfeel is fresh, light and oily, bittersweet on palate with more vanilla, candy, black coffee and dark chocolate. The finish has peppermint, wood and grassy rye notes. With water it gets sweeter, even honeyed, while heat builds in the finish with chilli spiced dark chocolate. Overall very delicious; a light and subtle of straight rye.
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It seems hard tt beleive (to me at least) that I have never written any tasting notes for this Speysider. I am sure I have tried it before but never put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard). I may have also been confused by the number of "Tamsomething" distilleries, none of which have been very memorable for me. This one slides nicely into that broad Scotch category of "oh yeh it's fine" ... without being exciting or memorable. The nose is at first spicy and woody then comes vanilla latte. Taste is very creamy and smooth, spiced bread puding with custard or caramel shortbread with fruit. Dry and slightly peppery and some cloves in the finish, vanilla ice cream but mild and muted Dessert in a glass (without any sugariness).
Location: Puttery, Houston, TX
Date: November 2022
Price: $13.00
Recipe: Rye, Vermouth, Cynar, Bitters
Garnish: Lemon Peel
Served: Up
Comments: Not a classic Manhatan but a very servicable variation they call the "Colossus of New York"
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii
Location: Cabernet Grill Texas Wine Country, TX
Date: October 2022
Price: $11.00
Recipe: Unknown
Garnish: Back Cherry
Served: Single Rock
Comments: Very good value at but overall a little small and underwhelming and not enough ice
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii
Location: Beagans 1806 cocktails
Date: September 2022
Price: $16.99 for 6 = $2.81 per can
Recipe: Manhattan in a can
Garnish: None
Served: Rocks
Comments: Very good value but needed help. I added a shot of Makers Mark and it improved signficantly.
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii
Location: Saltgrass Steakhouse, Houston, TX
Date: September 2022
Price: $13.00
Recipe: Balcones Pot Still bourbon, Martini and Rossi sweet vermouth, Benedictine DOM
Garnish: Black cherry and lemon peel
Served: Rocks
Comments: Excellent. Benedictine is interesting addition to recipe adding herbal and sweet notes.
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii
Location: Squable, Houston, TX
Date: August 2022
Price: $14.00
Recipe: Overporoof Bourbon, sweet vermouths, Angostura and orange bitters
Garnish: Black cherry
Served: Rocks
Comments: Very solid example. Like use of orange and black cherry
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii
Location: The Crows Nest, Hotel Captain Hook, Anchorage
Date: August 2022
Price: $18:00
Recipe: Buffalo Trace bourbon, sweet vermouth, angostura bitters
Garnish: Luxardo cherry
Served: Up
Comments: Quite expensive at $18 (at least there is no sales tax in AK) for a fairly average, standard recipe Manhattan
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii
Location: Bush Intercontinental Airport, Terminal C
Date: June 2022
Price: $14:30
Recipe: Makers mark, sweet vermouth and angostura bitters
Garnish: Black Cherry
Served: Up
Comments: Very decent Manahttan at a reasonable price (for an airport)
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii
Location: Perry's, Houston, Texas
Date: March 2022
Price: $15
Recipe: Redemption Rye, Vya Vermouth, brown sugar / bbq sauce rim
Garnish: Pork Chops (yes Pork Chop) and Black Cherry
Served: Up
Comments: What's not to love... pre meal drink AND amuse bouche! Pork, cherry and Manhattan works well.
What is this about? Check out http://www.somanywhiskies.com/item/749-the-manhattan-project-ii
The nose on 43.4% expression is very floral with some wheaty breakfast biscuits and spicy notes. The taste is very smooth with baked spiced apples (maybe even slightly burnt) caramel and honey. The finish has some slow building heat along with some Bovril (salty / meaty) notes. Reminded me of good Texas barbeque brisket with strong spice bark. Overall a ittle too much burnt, salty and bitter notes with not enough sweetness to balance it for me.